NFL Draft season is about to pick up a ton of steam, with the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine kicking off this week. 

And to celebrate I decided to share my updated prediction for how the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft will play out. 

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Pre-Scouting Combine 1st Round Mock Draft: 

1. Chicago Bears via Carolina Panthers
Caleb Williams, QB, USC

With all 32 team's top decision-makers expected to be in Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine this week, there should be more clarity once the event ends about the Bears plan with the top pick. I still think the Bears will keep the pick myself, and if they do, I think this pick has Caleb Williams's name all over it. 

2. Washington Commanders
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

I go back and forth with who I think the Commanders would take at two if the Bears go Williams between North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels. While I do think OC Kliff Kingsbury could lean toward Daniels, I think Maye is too talented to pass up here, and he offers a higher floor prospect than Daniels for the Commanders who desperately have to get this pick right. 

TRADE:
(Falcons send 8, a third this year, and their first next year to the Patriots for 3)

3. Atlanta Falcons via New England Patriots 
Jayden Daniels

This is a first for me, but I have the Patriots trading the third pick to the Falcons. I think QBs going 1-2-3 is the most likely scenario to happen at this point, and with Williams and Maye coming off the board with the top two picks, I think the Patriots could go the veteran route at QB and acquire a future first to move back just five spots. The Falcons have a ton of talent on offense but are missing the most important element: the QB. I have heard they will be aggressive in acquiring a QB this offseason. And I have them doing just that to grab the reigning Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels, out of LSU. 

4. Arizona Cardinals
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Marvin Harrison Jr. not testing at the Scouting Combine or a pro day makes me think him going this high is inevitable at this point. If a team in the top three decided to shock the world and pass on QB, I believe Harrison Jr. would be their pick, but here he is on the board for the Cardinals at four, who arguably get the best player in the draft without having to move up from four. 

5. Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

I've consistently taken Joe Alt out of Notre Dame for the Chargers here, and I'm sticking with it here. Adding Alt will give the Chargers one of the NFL's best young offensive tackle duos with Rashawn Slater. Alt will not only effectively protect Justin Herbert but also raise the floor of the run game that the Chargers want to build with new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. 

6. New York Giants
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

With the Falcons trading up and snagging Daniels, the Giants miss out on the top three QBs. I think they would also seriously consider Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy in this situation, but in the end, I went with LSU WR Malik Nabers. The Giants may not like it, but they are stuck with Daniel Jones for the short term. And Nabers drastically improves their WR room and will help get the most out of Jones while he remains a Giant. 

7. Tennessee Titans
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The Titans are giving the keys to Will Levis at QB for his sophomore season. And if they want that to go well, they have to improve their offensive line, which was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Lucky for them, this class has two blue-chip OTs to choose from. The choice is easy for them here with Alt already off the board, so they land Olumuyiwa Fashanu out of Penn State, who I think is the best pass blocker in this class. 

8. New England Patriots via Atlanta Falcons
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

After trading back five spots, the Patriots landed an extra first-round pick for next season, and they still landed one of the top players in this class in Washington WR Rome Odunze. Odunze will make a team and QB very happy at the pro level. The WR turns 50/50 balls into 70/30, and no matter who is the starting QB for New England, they have to add weapons this offseason, and Odunze would be their WR 1 immediately. 

9. Chicago Bears
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The board didn't fall how the Bears would want it here, with the top three WRs off the board. I considered taking Brock Bowers, but with Cole Kmet signing an extension, I think it is wiser to go elsewhere here. So I had them go CB, and Terrion Arnold out of Alabama is beginning to become the consensus CB 1 for most. He ended up as my CB 2, but I like his fit with the Bears defense and think he would be a day-one starter. 

10. New York Jets
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to mock another position to the Jets at this pick other than tackle. With the two blue-chip guys off the board, they have to pick from the next tier of guys, and I think the top option should be Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga. He projects nicely on either side of the line, which will give the Jets options come training camp, and he is talented enough to start day one while he continues to develop.

11. Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

With Kirk Cousins expected to hit free agency, the Vikings have an important decision to make. They have wanted to add a young QB to their roster over the last couple draft cycles, and I have them finally landing one with Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. I think the Vikings are one of the best offensive systems suited to unlock McCarthy's full skill set. It would be wise for them to work out a one-year deal for Cousins to return as the 2024 starter and allow McCarthy to sit behind him for at least a year. 

12. Denver Broncos
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

The Broncos miss out on the top four QBs here, so I have them going with my top edge in this class in Alabama's Dallas Turner. I think Turner has the best chance of the guys in this class to become a true elite pass rusher at the pro level. The Broncos have multiple needs at the moment, but if they aren't filling the QB position here, I think they need to add a true threat on their defensive line. 

TRADE:
(Bengals send 18, a third this year, and their second next year to the Raiders for 13)

13. Cincinnati Bengals via Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Another trade, as I have the Bengals jumping two teams I think are real threats to select Brock Bowers with the Saints and Colts. The Bengals tagged Tee Higgins and most likely will keep the WR this year, but it could mean the end of the Tyler Boyd era in Cincinnati. If he's gone, it is a priority to find a quick route winner and safety blanket for Joe Burrow to convert first downs and open up the field for their star WR duo. And I have them finding just that in Georiga TE Brock Bowers. 

14. New Orleans Saints
JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Not an ideal board for the Saints. They missed out on the top four QBs, the top three WRs, and the top three OTs, and the Bengals jumped them for Bowers. So, no matter who the pick here is, I'm sure it won't be accepted by Saints fans. I have them grabbing Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham. Latham is one of the best-run blockers in this class and projects as a day-one impact starter at RT. The Saints offense has a lot of question marks in the passing game. And if they can't add a game changer to help it, I think they need to ensure their run game is as impactful as possible. 

15. Indianapolis Colts
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

My pick for the Colts in my last mock is off the board this time around, with the Bengals jumping them for Bowers. GM Chris Ballard emphasized that he felt that the Colts' offense needed to get more "explosive" this offseason. And Brian Thomas Jr., out of LSU, does that and more. Thomas Jr. led the FBS with 17 touchdowns this past season, and the way he did it was just as impressive. His tape displayed his strong hands and ability to bring down the ball in contested situations. But he is also expected to test well this week at the Scouting Combine, which makes him a perfect fit for the Colts offense. 

16. Seattle Seahawks
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

I think the Seahawks are a sneaky team to watch for a possible QB trade-up, but with them not being able to do so in this mock, I have them adding a talented high-upside edge rusher in Laiatu Latu out of UCLA. Latu had a strong week at the Senior Bowl and showed off just how dominant he can be as a pass rusher. He doesn't offer you much in the run game, which is a concern, but the Seahawks need to generate more consistent pressure, and Latu is willing and able to attack any assignment he is given and make the QB uncomfortable. 

17. Jacksonville Jaguars 
Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington

The Jaguars have a huge need on the interior of their offensive line. With this pick, I was between my top guard, Troy Fautanu, and my top center, Jackson Powers-Johnson. Ultimately, I decided to go with Fautanu because he also offers the ability to play tackle to give the Jaguars more options come training camp to ensure they get the best five offensive linemen on the field next season. 

18. Las Vegas Raiders via Cincinnati Bengals
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo 

After trading back, I have the Raiders grabbing Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell plays with toughness and aggression that I think new Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce would love. The Raiders need to add talent in their secondary, especially when they have to play Patrick Mahomes and Herbert both twice a year, and Mitchell showed at the Senior Bowl he has the potential to be a lockdown number one CB at the NFL level. 

19. Los Angeles Rams
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Back to back CBs off the board as I had the Rams taking Clemson's Nate Wiggins. Wiggins is expected to put on a show at the Scouting Combine this week, and teams are always looking for long-athletic CBs. So I expect him to be a player fans of multiple fan bases are banging the table for their favorite teams to draft a week from now. Here I have the Rams grabbing the CB to add to their secondary, and with a new defensive coordinator coming aboard, I think a player like Wiggins would be a solid foundational piece for the Rams' new-look defense. 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Steelers are another team that I'm sure would love to grab one of the top QBs in this class, but I think it is more realistic that they add a veteran to compete with Kenny Pickett. But they have to find a new starting center this offseason, whether it's in free agency or the NFL draft. The top center in this class is Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson, and with him falling in their laps here at 20, I think they would run this pick in.  

21. Miami Dolphins
Graham Barton, G/OT, Duke

The Dolphins offensive line needs work for sure, but with the potential of them losing Robert Hunt in free agency, they need to add a starting-level guard, and Graham Barton out of Duke fits that mold perfectly. For the people who are against taking a guard this high, Barton also played tackle at Duke, which offers him the chance to develop as a player and potentially take over a tackle job for the Dolphins down the road. 

22. Philadelphia Eagles
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georiga 

I know, I know another Georiga Bulldog to the Eagles. But the Eagles offense went from one of the most exciting units in the NFL in 2022 to a stagnant mess in 2023. Ladd McConkey out of Georiga is a quick route-winning WR and can be a safety blanket for an NFL team from day one, in my opinion. I think this style of WR would be huge for the Eagles, allowing A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to do what they do best: work on the outside and downfield to make big plays for Jalen Hurts. 

23. Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

I think DeMeco Ryans will love Byron Murphy II out of Texas, and he would be a perfect fit to man the interior for the Texans. It's very possible that he won't be available this late, but with the board falling this way in this mock, I think Houston would be ecstatic to get many people's top DT in this year's class here. 

24. Dallas Cowboys
Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

The Cowboys just took a defensive tackle in 2023, but Mazi Smith struggled in 2023 and shouldn't be handed the starting job next season. While I don't think they should give up on him, I think Jer'Zhan Newton is simply better than him. Newton is my top DT in this year's class and has the power and speed to open up a lot of possibilities for the Cowboy's talented edge rusher duo. 

25. Green Bay Packers
Amarius Mims, OT, Georiga

The future is uncertain for the Packers and longtime star tackle David Bakhtiari. And I have them grabbing Amarius Mims out of Georiga. Many viewed him as a top-10 pick in this class prior to getting injured last year; he is now healthy and prepping to test at the Scouting Combine. If the Packers do move off of Bakhtiari, Mims has the potential to be a great young tackle to build with Jordan Love and the Packers offense that took off last season. 

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State

The Buccaneers and Mike Evans situation will greatly affect their draft selection here. If he does walk, I think WR is very in play with this pick. But I believe he will end up being retained, which made me go elsewhere. I have them adding Florida State's Jared Verse. Verse's ability as a pass rusher and in the run game makes him a legit three-down player at the next level. This could make him the edge 1 in this class on some team's boards, and to get that at 26 could be a steal. 

27. Arizona Cardinals via Houston Texans
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

After grabbing Marvin Harrison Jr., I have the Cardinals doubling up on offense by adding OT Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma. The Cardinal's future success will be very dependent on the play of Kyler Murray and Harrison Jr., so getting help on the offensive line will help that duo reach the heights that the team envisions. 

28. Buffalo Bills
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

The Bills could be losing Gabe Davis this offseason, and even with him back, they need more playmakers on offense. One of the best fits in this class is Oregon WR Troy Franklin. Franklin has the size and speed to play on the outside or in the slot. His ability to take the top off the defense would fit great with Josh Allen, who is always looking to make big plays downfield. I think he is a more well-rounded player than Gabe Davis and offers a higher floor with just as high of a ceiling, if not higher. 

29. Detroit Lions
T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

The Lions are coming off an incredible season where they fell just short of the Super Bowl in the NFC Championship. They have one of the best rosters in all of the NFL, but one of their clear holes is on the interior of the defensive line. I have them taking T'Vondre Sweat out of Texas. Sweat was one of the biggest winners of this year's Senior Bowl. Where he dominated the competition all week long. Everyone I spoke to believed Sweat will hear his name during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and should be a day-one starter for the Lions. 

30. Baltimore Ravens
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama 

The Ravens need to find stability at the CB position, and this year's first-round crop is a good place for them to target. Just a few months ago, many had Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry as the top CB in this year's class. But since then, many others have jumped him to even allow him a chance to be on the board when the Ravens are on the clock. With Marlon Humphry still on the team, McKinstry wouldn't have to be the top CB in Baltimore, and they could form an impressive duo to compete with the high-powered offenses in today's NFL. 

31. San Francisco 49ers
Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB, Missouri

The 49ers fell just short of their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl after losing in overtime to the Chiefs. They again have one of the best rosters in the NFL, which makes drafting for them so tough. But after looking at their roster, I went with Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out of Missouri. Rakestraw has the size to play either on the outside or in the slot and do so at a high level. His versatility at CB and his stellar work ethic should fit right in with the 49ers' culture as they attempt to return to the Super Bowl next season. 

32. Kansas City Chiefs
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

With the final pick of the first round, I have the Chiefs adding Keon Coleman. Coleman was looked at as the consensus WR 2 behind only Harrison Jr. early on in the college season. Other WRs have passed him since due to fit with teams and overall talent. But the Chiefs should not be complaining that he fell this far. A contested catch maniac with Patrick Mahomes could be unfair for the rest of the league. And don't be shocked when Keon Coleman tests better than people expect at the Scouting Combine to make him an even more attractive draft prospect. 

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